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Stay Positive!

Training sessions with your dog are a great way to bond and to achieve a well-behaved companion. When choosing a trainer, please check their credentials. Most importantly, ensure that they practice only reward-based, positive training methods. Positive reinforcement trainers do not use shock collars, force, intimidation, or pain. Instead, they teach with a gentle, fair
approach so that dogs truly will enjoy learning and form a trusting bond with
their owners. Check out this link or this link for a list of positive trainers by state.

Positive Reinforcement Training –
perhaps you’ve heard of it. Many dog trainers in the area are embracing this
scientifically-proven method of helping dogs with everything from manners
training to dog sports to helping with emotion-driven behavioral issues such as
fear and aggression. Positive reinforcement is espoused in hundreds of books
and videos on the market today and endorsed by animal organizations such as the
Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), The Council for Certified
Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT), and The American College of Veterinary
Behaviorists (ACVB) just to name a few,
and it is quickly turning dominance training obsolete.

So what’s all the hype about and
why does it work? First, let’s take a look at the old-fashioned ‘dominance’
method of dog training, otherwise known as coercive training. Coercive training
is based on the mistaken theory that dogs think like wolves, perceive
themselves as a member of a pack (the human family) and are either dominant
over family members or submissive. This model of training dictates that our
dog’s unwanted behaviors, such as pulling ahead on leash, are motivated by
their desire to ‘dominate’ us. Therefore we must maintain dominance over our
pet dogs by using force, harsh corrections (choking or otherwise inducing pain)
and more or less exhibit a menacing presence to our dogs. This type of training
results in an adversarial relationship with our dogs, fostering ‘obedience’
through fear and pain and sometimes resulting in the dog becoming fearful, defensive
or aggressive.

On the other hand, positive
reinforcement sets up a humane, collaborative relationship with your dog, fostering
trust and bonding by using a reward-based system.

The positive reinforcement method
is a result of decades of dog behavioral studies conducted by
internationally-known animal-behavior and veterinary scientists. In part, these
studies showed that dogs are not wolves, but rather are domesticated animals
who, through centuries of living with man, have evolved in a manner much unlike
their canid brothers. Such research has proven also that by rewarding
(reinforcing) desirable behaviors, not only can we humanely teach our dogs, but
we can successfully treat the fear and stress behind emotion-based behaviors such
as uncontrolled barking and aggression. To put it simply, when behaviors are
rewarded the probability of those
behaviors being repeated increases. When ignored, behaviors decrease and can
disappear. Many times a marker work or clicker is used to “mark” the exact
behavior being rewarded.

Positive reinforcement training is
not new but has been used for decades and on species other than dogs. Have you
seen the amazing performances by killer whales and dolphins at Sea World or
other famous aquariums? Remember Morris the cat, Flipper, the cats and dogs in
Milo and Otis and in Homeward Bound? Eddie,
the Jack Russell on Frasier, the golden retrievers in the “Buddy” movies, the
Taco Bell Chihuahua, The Shaggy Dog, and Beethoven were trained using positive
reinforcement. The list goes on and on.

Along with establishing a
collaborative relationship with your puppy or dog, positive reinforcement makes
training fun, non-threatening and builds trust. In upcoming articles we will provide
you with training tips using positive reinforcement techniques to solve such
problems as jumping up and to teach good manners.

_______

Linda
Lelak, CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer) has been working with dogs and
their humans for over 15 years. As the owner of Pawsitive Paws Dog Training in
Bucks County, PA, she offers private training specializing in behavioral issues
such as fear and aggression and conducts public dog training classes at the Bucks
County (Pa.) SPCA. Linda’s expertise is highly recommended by area veterinarians and
dog rescue organizations. www.PawsitivePaws.info

# # #

Choosing a Dog Trainer

by Heather Smith, PMCT

All 4 Paws Dog Training

There is currently no required certification or licensing to open
a dog training or dog behavior practice.
Before you hire a pet professional, interview them, ask for client
references. Discuss with them their
training methods and philosophies, especially if they don’t specifically state
on their web site. I urge you not to engage a dog training
professional who advocates for pain, fear or heavy handed training
methods. Make a well-informed and
educated decision and here is why: I
believe in training my dog by developing a loving and trusting relationship,
not one based on fear or forced dominance.

In recent years, much
creditable scientific study has been given to dog
training and behavior modification methods. The evidence shown by these studies indicates
that training methods and modification protocols using “dominance theory” and
social structures (“alpha,” or “leader of pack”), usage of physical or mental
force, intimidation, coercion or fear are less effective and often create as a
consequence “fallout” behaviors – behaviors which may be dangerous to the human
and animal involved.

Some of
these methods – specifically corporal punishment, choke chains, prong collars,
shocking with an electronic collar, leash jerks, bark collars and verbal
punishment – are often used in reality television programming. Despite warnings on the television for viewers
not to attempt the methods displayed at home, such methods will be attempted by
pet owners and may lead to extremely dangerous situations.

Unfortunately for dogs, force-based methods work, but at
what expense? Wouldn’t you rather have
your dog perform a cue that you asked him to do because he wants and chooses
to, not because he is afraid of you and that he will be punished if he doesn’t? But here is the even better news…positive
reinforcement training also works and it fosters the relationship between you
and your dog.

So how do you find a positive reinforcement trainer? You can search for a trainer using the links
above for Truly Dog Friendly or the Pet Professional Guild. These trainers have committed to using
positive reinforcement and/or force-free methods of dog training. Search trainer web sites and look for their
training philosophy. Most positive
reinforcement trainers will proudly proclaim this and list their
credentials. Choose a trainer that has
some formal education in learning theory and animal behavior and one that is
committed to continuing their education.

Watch out for trainers that provide “guarantees” before
they even see your dog. Training or
modifying a behavior will take some work on everyone’s part and can’t be done
in 5 minutes or in a 30 minute TV show.
Be cautious of so-called “balanced” trainers who will claim they are
positive while yanking on your dog’s leash.
Be leery of trainers that say they don’t use food…most dogs are very
motivated by food and will perform behaviors to earn it. A positive trainer can easily explain how to
successfully use food to teach a behavior then how to use other reinforcers to
reward a behavior once it is reliable.

Your dog is a member of your family and deserves to have
a training experience that is fun and where he or she can be successful. Your first training class is just the start
of a relationship between you and your dog that will last a lifetime. Make sure it is a positive one for both you
and your dog.

Heather Smith, PMCT (Pat Miller Certified Trainer) is the
owner of All 4 Paws Dog Training. Heather has been working with renowned
positive trainer Pat Miller since 2009. She
is also a training advisor for CRCPA, Canine Rescue of Central PA. Heather offers Basic Good Manners private and
group classes and behavior consultations, serving Franklin and Adams Counties
in South Central PA. www.all4pawsdogtraining.com